UPDATE 1-Several killed and injured in blast at Nebraska feed plant

OMAHA, Nebraska Jan 20 (Reuters) - An explosion and fire at
a feed plant in Omaha, Nebraska, on Monday injured at least 10
people and caused several deaths, authorities said, but did not
provide an exact number of fatalities.

About 38 employees were working at the International
Nutrition plant at midmorning when there was an explosion and
the building collapsed, authorities said. A specialized
search-and-rescue team is searching the site.

Interim Fire Chief Bernard Kanger told a news conference
there had been fatalities but did not give a number.

At least 10 people were taken to hospitals in Omaha and
Lincoln, Nebraska, and four were in critical condition, Kanger
said.

The cause of the blast has not been disclosed. Kanger said
the incident was an industrial accident.

Kari Cook told the World-Herald newspaper she was waiting
for news of her boyfriend, John Broderick, a shift supervisor at
the plant, according to the paper's website.

She told the newspaper he sent her a text at 10:09 a.m.
reading: "Major accident. I'm hurt and trapped. Love you."

She said she replied: "Honey, answer me," but that he had
not responded.

Nate Lewis, a production line worker, told the newspaper
that the building caved in from the third floor. He also said it
turned pitch black inside the plant, and that he crawled through
the rubble to safety.

The grain handling industry, which includes feed plants, is
considered "high hazard," due partly to the risk of fires and
explosions from grain dust accumulation, according to the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration website.